Class will meet once a week for a 3-hour lab session. Students will sign up for one semester at a time. Each semester will have a theme, such a zoology, marine biology, human anatomy, environmental science, sports physics, etc. Classes are aimed at ages 8-14, but the exact age range will depend on the topic and may vary by semester.

Winter/Spring 2018 classes:

For the 2019 winter/spring semester, Scandent Lab is offering an environmental science course. But, this won’t be a standard textbook-walk course scrolling through basic concepts and standard exercises. Scandent Lab utilizes Collaborative Curriculum Design to weave together students’ interests and core science principles to create a cohesive, student-centered science learning experience. The exact content of the course will be determined by the students in the course! Recycling, electric cars, and deep sea ecology? Tiny houses, rainforest conservation, and oil spills? Endangered bats, trash incinerators, and windmills? The focus of the course could be any of these, or an even wilder combination yet to be determined!
Classes are held at a home on Carleton St in Berkeley, near San Pablo. Depending on the topic selected, the class may include field trips to nearby locations. Details would be arranged in advance with all parents/guardians.
Tuition is $900, which includes all materials. There is a 10% sibling discount.

A second class may be added, as there are a number of interested families who can’t make the existing date. If you are not able to make the Thursday class, please fill out this formto let me know what other dates and times could work for you.

Policies:

Please read the class policies below. By signing up for this class, you are agreeing to these policies.

Skills and behavior expectations – To participate in this class, students are expected to be able to have a baseline competency in their skills and behavior. If your child does not meet one or more of these baselines but would still like to participate, please contact me to discuss. Students are expected to be able to – read, write, do simple arithmetic (whole-number addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), obey safety rules, and participate in a group activity.

Illness and absences – For the health and safety of all, and to make the class accessible to students with medical issues that might make them susceptible to contagious illnesses, students are not permitted to come to class if they are ill. Students may not attend if they have had a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea within the last 24 hours (students must be 24-hours fever/vomiting/diarrhea-free without the use of medications in order to resume attending class); if they have a known contagious condition (lice, contagious rash, etc.); if they are acting listless/ill and are unable to participate as they normally do. Common colds (sneezing/coughing/runny nose, without a fever) are acceptable, provided student is feeling well. Due to the nature of a lab science class, make-up classes are not possible, and no refunds or credits will be issued for classes missed due to illness or any other reason. However, I am happy to share the details of missed classes, including instructions for how to try the activity at home (if applicable).

Class cancellations and rescheduling – For the health and safety of all, the class may need to be rescheduled if the instructor or host family is ill. If class is cancelled, there will be a make-up class added to the end of the session. Thursdays in May are reserved for possible make-up classes; you may wish to pencil these into your calendar.

Food and drinks – There will be a snack break during each class. Participants should bring a drink and snack each week.

Participation, materials, and homework – Students are expected to participate in each class. All materials will be provided. In general, all activities will occur during class, but there may be an occasional task to be completed between classes. These will be brief tasks that could not be completed during class time, such as interviewing an adult.

Evaluation and feedback – In experiential science, students learn at different paces. Due to the rich nature of the experience, different students may be working on different skills within the same activity (e.g. observation, documentation, calculation, patience, specific measurement techniques, etc.) To promote student-led learning, there will be no standardized evaluation (testing, grading, etc.). If you would like feedback on your student’s progress, I’m happy to discuss with you at any point. Parents will receive regular updates about the class, including what activities and skills are being explored.

Other – The host family for the Thursday class has a cat. The class will mostly be held outside in the yard, but, if the weather is bad, the class may be held indoors.